10 Tips to Be the Best Version of Yourself. bY pETER mINKOFF.

First of all, it’s time to let go of all the misleading images of perfection flaunted by the media – you need a batch of your own, realistic, achievable goals in order to truly feel good about yourself and keep growing as a person. We’re all imperfect, and beautiful in our imperfections, so let’s start by building simple, actionable steps towards self-improvement, and a life based on habits that help us be the best possible version of ourselves!

1.      Rise and shineAs creatures of habit, we thrive on having a reliable routine every day. If you still haven’t created your own, try inventing a set of morning rituals to kick off every day the right way. You’ll begin with simple self-care steps such as skincare, a healthy breakfast, and a workout perhaps, and that will inspire you to keep adding to the list of feel-good actions you take every morning!

2.      Take care of your complexionWhat does your reflection say about your self-care practices? As our largest organ, our skin deserves some extra thought put into the habits we develop to care for it. Whether you’re dealing with acne, psoriasis, or just an occasional war on zits, you should refine your skincare choices to make sure you’re meeting your skin needs. 

3.      Treat yourselfWhen life gets you down or you simply feel overwhelmed, there’s nothing wrong with making yourself feel better with a present. For fashionistas among you, you can treat yourself to stylish women's denim shorts perfect to spruce up your summer wardrobe. If you’re more of an experience kind of gal, book a massage or a spa day to relax and unwind from a long week of work – it will help you rekindle your motivation and energy to keep improving yourself every day!

4.      Set goals every dayNothing gives you perspective quite like setting your own goals. Even the smallest of them, such as “wash the dishes” or “read a chapter” will help you get into that right mindset of accountability and inspiration to get more things done every day. Stay realistic and you’ll notice how your desire to achieve more grows with every completed goal on your list.

5.      Learn moreThe humility that comes with realizing you don’t know everything is a powerful catalyst for progress. Whether it’s mastering a new braid, a few words of a new language, or a funky recipe, learning new things is a wonderful way to enrich yourself and your existence. Think outside the box and always strive to learn the things that get you outside of your comfort zone!

6.      Get inspiredThe Internet is filled with people who make it their mission to inspire others. They post daily videos, vlogs, blogs, social media posts, you name it, only to get you to do more for yourself and others. Follow the ones that resonate with your own beliefs, and take a few moments to listen to what they have to say and you’ll be inspired to move forward with your life.

7.      Stay healthyIn order to enjoy life to the fullest, you need to cherish your body by choosing nutritious foods and leading an active life. Every little step you take towards boosting your wellbeing will contribute to your longevity as well as your peace of mind in old age. As you notice how much effort you invest in your health, you’ll value yourself far more than you currently do, and you’ll abandon many self-destructive habits that many of us so often nurture.

8.      Be gratefulBuilding an attitude of gratitude has a very powerful impact on your overall wellbeing, not just your mood or your appreciation of the moment. In fact, studies have shown that it has the ability to ward off depression, increase your energy levels, and make you more resilient to the challenges of life. Not to mention that you’ll inevitably appreciate yourself and others more as you point out to yourself all the things you might have been taking for granted.

9.      Make a differenceWhile it’s perfectly natural to always look for ways to be better at self-care, understanding the challenges those around us face means that we choose not to just sit idly by. Prompt yourself to go out and find ways to contribute, whether it’s by teaching a free course to kids in disadvantaged families, donating blood, your time, or your knowledge, working with the elderly, or spending time with kids in hospitals. Whatever you do will help you learn more about those around you and further strengthen your need to give back.

10. Find your ZenUltimately, it comes down to finding ways not to become immune to the troubles of your life, but to find the strength and serenity to face them with more poise and wisdom. A habit that can help you achieve and build such a mindset is meditation, combined with breathing exercises, which will ward off stress and make you more resilient to hardships of life.